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Vitamin D deficiency in infants aged 1 to 6 months

You Jin Choi1, Moon Kyu Kim, Su Jin Jeong

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.

Korean Journal of Pediatrics
|June 7, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D deficiency is common in South Korean infants, affecting nearly half. Breastfeeding significantly increases deficiency risk, highlighting the need for supplementation in all infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Vitamin D is crucial for infant health, particularly bone development.
  • Deficiency can lead to rickets and other health issues.
  • Optimal vitamin D levels are essential for overall infant well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess vitamin D status in South Korean infants aged 1-6 months.
  • To identify key risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency.
  • To inform public health strategies for infant nutrition.

Main Methods:

  • Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels were measured in 117 infants.
  • Data on feeding patterns, sex, and other factors were collected.
  • Statistical analysis identified correlations with vitamin D levels.

Main Results:

  • Nearly half (48.7%) of infants exhibited vitamin D deficiency.
  • Breastfed infants showed a very high deficiency rate (90.4%).
  • Lower vitamin D levels were observed in breastfed and female infants.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in South Korean infants.
  • Breastfeeding is a critical risk factor for deficiency.
  • Early vitamin D supplementation is recommended for all infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
BreastfeedingFemale infantHealthy infantRisk factorVitamin D

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